But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him before the tribunal, saying, “This man is persuading people to worship God contrary to the law.” But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, I would have reason to accept your complaint. But since it is a matter of questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of these things.” And he drove them from the tribunal. And they all seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal. But Gallio paid no attention to any of this.

After this, Paul stayed many days longer and then took leave of the brothers and set sail for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had cut his hair, for he was under a vow. And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there, but he himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. When they asked him to stay for a longer period, he declined. But on taking leave of them he said, “I will return to you if God wills,” and he set sail from Ephesus.

When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church, and then went down to Antioch. After spending some time there, he departed and went from one place to the next through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.

Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.—Acts 18:12–28

Sermon Discussion Questions

1. Faithful Suffering and Our Faithful God (Acts 18:12–17)
2. Faithful Planting and Our Faithful God (Acts 18:18–23)
3. Faithful Watering and Our Faithful God (Acts 18:24–28) 

• What is the fuel of all of our faithfulness? What will hold us fast as we walk through a myriad of circumstances and situations? 
• When was the last time you marveled at the glory of God in the face of Jesus? 
• In Acts 18, how does God preserve Paul through his sovereignty? Why is this surprising? 
• What does the suffering of Sosthenes say about the sufficiency of Jesus? 
• What is our role in the mission of God? What is God’s role? 
• How does this story help us to be content with whatever purpose God has for us and not compare ourselves to others? 
• How does this story teach us the dual realities of fervency and humility? 
• When was the last time you were able to receive someone else’s feedback with humility and grace? Is that a normal reaction? 
• When was the last time you were able to give some else feedback with humility and grace? How was it received? 
• Why should fervency and humility mark our church?